The chief minister clarified that the government is extending all kinds of cooperation to promote tourism and would continue to do so in the future as well.
Praising the people of the coastal region, Siddaramaiah said they are adventurous by nature and have achieved success in business by travelling across the country and abroad. “We are ahead in tourism, while Kerala is ahead in education and tourism. We need to overtake Kerala and move forward. There is no shortcoming compared to Kerala; what we need is interest and initiative. Many have come forward to invest capital, and the government expresses its gratitude to them,” he said.
Vast potential for tourism: Siddaramaiah said Karnataka, especially the coastal belt, has immense potential for tourism development. The five-year tourism policy 2024–29 is currently in force in the state. No previous government had paid adequate attention to tourism growth along the coast, but now deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar and tourism minister H K Patil are focusing on this sector, he added.
Law and order in Mangaluru is good: The chief minister stressed that a sound law-and-order situation is essential for tourism to grow. He said there is a peaceful atmosphere in Dakshina Kannada district at present and it should continue. “Taking the law into one’s own hands is not right, and no one should indulge in activities that divide society. All religions advocate peace and do not encourage hatred. Patriotism does not arise by pitching one religion against another. As Kuvempu said, this land should be a garden of peace,” he remarked.
He said the coastal region was famous even in the pre-Christian era and has progressed in education, healthcare, and banking sectors, besides being ahead in tax contributions.
Siddaramaiah observed that while people from across the country and abroad come to the coast for education, many go overseas for jobs, resulting in parents being left without care.
Objects to Kerala move on language: Reacting to reports that the Kerala government is moving to make Malayalam compulsory even in Kannada-medium schools in that state, Siddaramaiah strongly objected to the move, stating that it amounts to a violation of the rights of linguistic minorities. “The Kerala government may have enacted a law, but it cannot forcibly impose another language on linguistic minorities. Forcing people whose mother tongue is Kannada to compulsorily learn Malayalam is unconstitutional,” he said.
He warned that if the governor gives assent to the legislation and it comes into force, the Karnataka government would be compelled to launch a struggle to protect the interests of linguistic minorities. He also said that representations would be submitted to the central government and the President, seeking their intervention in the matter.
Referring to queries raised by the governor on the withdrawal of certain state laws, Siddaramaiah said the process of providing appropriate clarifications is currently under way.
No five-star hotel in Mangaluru: Despite progress in many fields, Mangaluru does not have a single five-star hotel, the chief minister said, adding that there are none in Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts either.